That Michael Gerson is something of a fan of “big government” Rick Santorum is no surprise, even if he packed a recent article about the former Pennsylvania senator with enough straw men to make a straw army, but he really should not be allowed to get away with this:

A compassionate-conservative approach to governing would result in a different and smaller federal role — using free-market ideas to strengthen families and communities, rather than constructing centralized bureaucracies.

I’ll just add a question, re: “a compassionate-conservative approach to governing would result in a different and smaller federal role” … well,when, exactly? Gerson’s compassionate conservative splurge created debts our grandchildren will be paying off, which will eventually wreak havoc on the very social safety net he aims to shore up.

Let’s be clear. For all the fine talk, the reality of Rick Santorum’s vision would be more government, not less. And there’s one other thing: if anyone believes that electing a politician with such a profoundly activist vision will enhance states’ rights, I have a bridge-to-nowhere to sell them.